William Butler Yeats

(1865-1939), Poet and dramatist; son of John Butler Yeats

Sitter in 59 portraitsPoet and dramatist of Irish origin, son of the artist J.B. Yeats. Yeats was prominent in both English and Irish literary circles and played a large part in the revival of Celtic literature and the Irish theatre; helped to establish the Abbey Theatre in Dublin as a national institution and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature (1923). A poet of expressive force and lyrical beauty whose work underwent profound development between The Celtic Twilight (1893) and The Winding Stair (1929). His 'Easter 1916' (1916) and 'An Irishman Foresees his Death' (1919) offer an unusual perspective on the First World War- a conflict that bitterly divided his own country. Senator, Irish Free State (1922-8).

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